Integrally Molded Mouse Foot Eliminating Dust Traps
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Computer mouse feet with self-lubricating materials trap dust due to their thickness and adhesive layers, leading to reduced gliding performance and difficulty in cleaning, as the exposed adhesive edges attract dust.
Innovation Solution
The mouse design incorporates a seamless, integrally molded base portion with self-lubricating mouse foot protrusions and an anti-static metal layer grounded to prevent static electricity, ensuring smooth gliding and easy dust removal by eliminating step contours and using metallized surfaces to prevent dust accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mouse feet are made of self-lubricating material with adhesive layer, then smooth gliding is achieved, but dust trapping occurs due to step contour and exposed adhesive edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mouse foot protrusion and the base portion into a single integrally molded structure. The mouse foot protrusion is directly formed as part of the base portion without separate adhesive layers, eliminating the step contour and exposed adhesive edges that cause dust trapping, while maintaining the self-lubricating material for smooth gliding
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface finish parameter of the mouse foot protrusion to be substantially free of step contours. The integrally molded structure creates a continuous surface without abrupt transitions, preventing dust accumulation while preserving the low-friction properties of the self-lubricating material
2Strength
If adhesive layer is used to attach mouse feet, then secure attachment is achieved, but exposed adhesive edges attract and trap dust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the separate adhesive layer by integrally molding the mouse foot protrusion as part of the base portion. The mouse foot is directly formed from the base material itself, removing the exposed adhesive edges that attract dust while maintaining secure attachment through the integral structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the adhesive layer from the assembly. By eliminating the separate adhesive component and using direct integral molding, the source of dust attraction (exposed adhesive edges) is completely removed from the system
3Strength
If mouse foot has thickness for structural integrity, then mechanical strength is maintained, but step contour forms trapping dust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mouse foot protrusion with the base portion into a single integral structure. The transition between the mouse foot and base is smoothly continuous without abrupt step contours, maintaining structural integrity while eliminating dust-trapping geometries
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies curved transitions instead of sharp edges at the interface between the mouse foot protrusion and the base portion. The substantially free of step contours surface finish creates smooth curved transitions that prevent dust accumulation while maintaining the necessary thickness for structural strength
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution minimizes dust trapping and facilitates easy cleaning of dust accumulation on the mouse feet while maintaining smooth gliding performance by using self-lubricating materials and anti-static properties to prevent static-induced dust buildup.
Implementation Method 1
The mouse feet are made of self-lubricating material, such as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or commonly known as Teflon
Implementation Method 2
an anti-static metal layer grounded to prevent static electricity
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A mouse for communication with a processor-based device. The mouse may include a housing having a base portion. The mouse may further include a layer of metal coupled to the base portion. The layer of metal may be connected to an electric reference potential.